The BBC has formally started its search for the next Director General and stated that the role could be based outside London.
The official job specification, produced by headhunting firm Odgers Berndtson, was released today. It states that the role will require significant time in London but “can be based in any of the BBC’s main UK bases”.
Outgoing Director General Lord Tony Hall, who announced he was stepping down last month, has already said he wants “at least two-thirds” of the Corporation to be based outside London by 2027.
More services have already been earmarked for MediaCityUK in Salford, including BBC Sounds.
“The right candidate is likely to have experience of managing a large, diverse organisation, dealing with significant budgets and delivering change on a significant scale,” the job spec states.
The salary will be £450k and applications need to be filed by the start of March. The appointment will be made by the BBC board, chaired by Sir David Clementi.
Issues facing the new DG, as highlighted in the job spec, include the government’s consultation on licence fee decriminalisation, finding ways to adapt output to meet the changing media habits of younger audiences, and dealing with “unprecedented scrutiny over the breadth, quality, content and value of its services”.
Due to the level of stress associated with the job, the successful candidate must also be able to show “demonstrable resilience”.
The Government is already considering decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee, while signalling that it expects that the funding model itself may need to be replaced this decade.
